My Story
Experience and accreditations
Hello, I’m Laura and I am a child-centred play and creative therapist and parenting coach working with children and families in Southeast Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Hertfordshire, Northwest London and West London. I am originally from South Wales and made the big move to London at 21 years old. Following the birth of my daughter, my family and I then relocated from London to the beautiful Chiltern Hills.
I am a true advocate of the power that play and creative arts holds in supporting well-being, healing and growth, where opportunities to develop critical life skills can help equip the child to face the challenges of today and the future. These core beliefs are what ignited my passion towards training as a play therapist on the University of Roehampton’s MA in Play Therapy. My educational background also stems in Psychology where I specialised in child development on the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) at London South Bank University. This enabled me to deepen my knowledge in brain development and understand the powerful nuances of the mind and behaviour.
My experience of working with children spans 19 years across many different settings, including schools, nurseries, charities and psychological support services within hospitals.
I work with children and adolescents aged four to 18 years old, often presenting with complex needs including
Anxiety and low mood
Bereavement
Parental separation
Trauma
Medical issues
Self-harm and suicide ideation
Eating disorders
Neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism, ADHD and sensory processing difficulties
My interventions are based on robust assessments, and I pride myself on building a safe, nurturing therapeutic space that enables trust, connection, and growth. It has been imperative in every single case to create a safe and accepting environment where a secure and trusting relationship could then be built. This has allowed for great change and growth in each child and young person that I have worked with. Both outcome measures and feedback from parents and teachers have demonstrated that significant changes could be made in both time limited and long-term interventions.
In addition to therapeutic work with children, I also offer Circle of Security parenting support through one-to-one or group sessions. This evidence-based programme is designed to strengthen the attachment relationship between parent and child by enhancing emotional connection and understanding. It helps parents better interpret their child’s emotional needs, support emotional regulation, build self-esteem, and foster a secure, trusting relationship that promotes positive behaviour and long-term wellbeing.
I am registered and accredited with the British Association of Play therapists (BAPT); I hold a current DBS on the update service. I also have public liability insurance and operate in accordance to GDPR policies and procedures.
British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT)
The British Association of Play Therapists is a professional body for play therapists in the United Kingdom. Play Therapists registered with BAPT will adhere to standards set to ensure that best play therapy practice is demonstrated by all members for each child, family and professional in which they work with.